Time Names Project Natal One Of The 50 Best Inventions Of 2009

Microsoft’s hands-free motion-control technology Project Natal was named the fifth best invention of 2009 by Time Magazine. As always the list is filled with fascinating and “Whoa!”-inducing selections, but what’s more interesting than Natal taking the number five spot is that it beat out the teleportation of data between atoms, a telescope that can see previously invisible stars, and the first immunization that protects against HIV infection.

Considering all we’ve really seen from Natal at this point, is that it lets you have a creepy relationship with a virtual boy and can be used to flail around while rubber balls bounce off your avatar, including Natal so high on the list, and ahead of some truly inspiring inventions, seems a bit premature in my opinion. That is of course unless Natal ends up curing AIDS some day, in which case I will retract this opinion posthaste.

What do you think of Project Natal’s inclusion on Time’s list? Am I wrong in thinking that it was ranked a bit too high?